A South African cultural expert has been recognised by the United Nations for her contribution to humanity, according to reports monitored here on Thursday.
South African Cultural Observatory (SACO) executive director Unathi Lutshaba was this week honoured as one of the world’s Most Influential People of African Descent (MIPAD) during a ceremony held at the UN headquarters in New York.
The expert, who is based at Nelson Mandela University in Port Elizabeth, was included in MIPAD’s global Top 100 Under 40 in the activism and humanitarian category.
This is in recognition of her contribution to the cultural sector by leading a research team that has been collecting evidence on the impact of the music, visual arts and film industry the country’s economy.
“The creative world is no longer about art for art’s sake, but rather an undervalued and under-supported industry with untapped potential for generating economic growth and social unity,” Lutshaba said during the MIPAD recognition event.
She noted that some of the biggest challenges facing South Africa’s creative industry were lack of access to markets and funding.
“One of the flagship reports of SACO has been the economic mapping of the cultural and creative industries on a national level,” said Lutshaba.
The mapping studies aim to provide reliable, policy and sector relevant information about the economic value of the cultural and creative industries in South Africa “that can be used to inform sector development and policy.”
JN/APA